Pros
The great thing about Lifetouch is it is seasonal so you do get time off in between seasons for vacation. you get to work with some great people. My direct boss was great. 1) It Pay's the bills 2) Mostly nice people to work with 3) Time off between seasons 4) Under the right circumstances plausible room for growth 5) New School Just about every day 6) Sometimes some of the students are great to work with.
Cons
The spring season of 2010 was not the best one. From what I understand there was a photographer that had their camera taken away from them because the boss of her/his boss felt that this person had messed up the season before. Not only had this person been taken off camera they had their hours cut to less than 30 hrs a week while other photographers were still working 40 plus hours. Have heard from several photographers and managers that this person in or was on a power trip and not only refused to allow the photographer to photograph but also made the schedule (from my understanding was the job of the other managers underneath this person to make their own schedule). In the time I worked for Lifetouch Did I see a pay raise? NO! not even a $0.25 an hour raise, what's wrong with that picture? Other Cons 1) Extremely early hours (getting up between 3:30am to 5:30am) A) Expected to be at the school by 6:30 to 730 am 1) the drive at least 2 hrs away 90+ miles away B) Work until school lets out 3:00 or 4:00 pm 1) still have to tear down equipment at least one hour 2) Travel pay $7.25 an hour (did not come close to paying for my gas 3) No Respect from senior management ( my manager yes) 4) Carry equipment in personal vehicle 5) From my experience and seeing other post about getting another job along with this one? A) I do not see how someone can work this job and another one with the hours all over the place. and I was told by my hiring manager that I needed to be available during the season or not at all. B) not in so many words but that I could not work another job at least during the week Monday-Friday. that leaves Friday night and sat and sun to work another job not really enough time to find a job that will pay enough to justify working another. I also feel that everyone needs at least some free time. 6) If your not in with a particular manager then you might not get to work in another area even if you show an interest. Example: your in underclass and want to photograph sports to. If your manager is not also over scheduling sports you might not get a chance. 7) Get rid of the bad photographers ( don't hire them back the next season) A) aggressively hire new photographers that show that they are motivated to work B) With the economy their is no reason to not hire only the best There are so many people out looking for work that ARE willing to work. I do not see why in my territory there were so many photographers that did not give a flying hoot and yet were hired back the next season. Do Not see how others are saying that they had to work another job along with this one. I understand Why the money side of it. What I don't get is from my side is the hours are so long during the start of the season then become so hear or there that without having to tell your manager that you can not work cretin day how it could be done. I was told by my manager that it's either all in or move on. My manager did not have time to know who needed what day off because of another job. At least all of the photographers under this person know where she/he stood and dealt with it.
